Newbie first loading question

One question. What OAL would you go with? I am thinking 1.445.

The Berry's 158gr. is a great bullet to load. I crimp right into the top edge of the canalure-can not tell you the OAL, but they shoot well. I apply a moderate crimp to the plated bullets-NOT-too heavy on the plated..Bill.

billybob44 said:

The Berry's 158gr. is a great bullet to load. I crimp right into the top edge of the canalure-can not tell you the OAL, but they shoot well. I apply a moderate crimp to the plated bullets-NOT-too heavy on the plated..Bill.

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I didn't think there was a cannelure on plated bullets? I never saw a cannelure on a Berry's bullet.

ArchAngelCD said:

I didn't think there was a cannelure on plated bullets? I never saw a cannelure on a Berry's bullet.

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Neither have I.

A cannelure, otherwise known as a crimping groove, would create a weak spot in the already thin copper plating. I am told (but have never witnessed or experienced it myself) that if the plating strips off you could wind up with a barrel obstruction. Generally a disastrous event.

If you roll crimp into the sides of a plated bullet you can create the same condition or weaker. A taper crimp, if done too strongly would be little better.

The good news is that (if you have not over-expanded/belled the case mouth) when you seat a plated (or jacketed) bullet, it stretches the brass case quite a bit and the case crips the bullet quite tightly and the friction is enough to keep the bullet from being driven deeper into the case in handling or pulled out of the case in recoil (unless you have a lightweight gun and a very heavy recoiling 38 load). Bullet creep (or crimp jump) happens in lightweight .357 Magnums occasionally, but more often in the Scandium and Titanium 44 Magnums and larger, heavier bullets.

In short, apply just barely enough crimp to remove the case-mouth bell. Or, better yet, chamfer the case mouth just enough that the base of the bullet can be started into the case and then squeezed into the case by the seating die.

Lost Sheep

I bought a Lee 38 Taper Crimp Die specifically for the CCI shotshells capsules and for the rare occasions I load plated bullets. A taper crimp die works very well in both loads.

ArchAngelCD said:

I didn't think there was a cannelure on plated bullets? I never saw a cannelure on a Berry's bullet.

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Can't say about Berry's. I load a ton of Extreme 125 gr .38 cal and they do have a cannelure and they are plated.

Bush Pilot said:

Can't say about Berry's. I load a ton of Extreme 125 gr .38 cal and they do have a cannelure and they are plated.

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I am not doubting you, but could you post a link to a picture? The only "Extreme 125 Gr" bullets I found with anything that looked like a cannelure were Hornadys and it was a line of serrations more than a crimping groove.

Thanks,

Lost Sheep

4.2 grains Unique is below anyones recommended starting load with a 158 grain jacket bullet.

Start at 4.5 with plated bullets.
You might end up with 4.7 giving a real nice load.

And check your scales to insure you are really getting that.

rc